best old style money saving christmas hints and tips

Butterfly_Brain

I always start buying in January - Cards, paper, gift tags and crackers when they are half price and then I get a few gifts every month after that. As a result I have 2 presents and a bottle of tia maria to get or make plus the fresh stuff that I order from the local greengrocer JOB DONE!
As for Decorations I use the same ones every year and we have an artificial tree so I cut some foliage off my pine tree outside and put bowls of it with a few baubles dotted around the house smells lovely and Christmassy.
We also go foraging for Holly and mistletoe

Zoelikesjam

julie_d wrote: »

Layla, toilet roll tubes are a no, no. theese days after they have been in the bathroom. then you are putting food in them. You are not allowed to use them in any crafts because of hygine. You can cut down kitchen roll inners instead.

The 'rule' now is that you have to 'microwave' the inside of the loo roll to stop germs. I only know this cus the children were asked to bring in loo roll insides for craft and we have been told to micro em to kill anything lurking!!!!

laurel7172

Don't buy it.

Whatever it is.

Especially if it's food. And that goes double for meat. I'm lucky, I suppose, to have two post Christmas birthdays, so I can stick something in the freezer to bring out for unexpected guests, knowing I can use it at full value if it doesn't get used at Christmas. But otherwise...it's one meal...Also, nobody here really likes turkey, more than two like a leg, so a couple of free range chickens is far cheaper and tastier and keeps more people happy than one turkey...and I'm not left trying to bully the kids into eating all those horrible dry bits left over. If we need more meat than that, I'd rather buy and cook a decent joint than spend money knowing in advance that most of it is on not-very-nice leftovers....

katholicos

I buy presents throughout the year when i see something that is suited to the person i am giving the gift to, but i never, ever, ever pay full price for anything.

I often use the internet (not very OS, but the savvyness is OS LOL!) to search for the cheapest possible price on absolutely everything!

I buy wrapping paper and stocking fillers in the January sales and I buy some big pressies from Boots in the sales (using points i have collected all year long).

I make some of my Christmas cards, reuse gift bags that last years presents came in when they were given to me or to family members. I used to make our Christmas Crackers and would put things like ferrero rocher in them or something (only if they happened to be half price at the supermarket though!). Nowadays i just buy them when they have 75% off in the January sales.

One other thing i love to do is to bake biscuits and preserves and wrap them in cellophane and put a nice home made gift tag on and give them to the elderly neighbours. I also make a Christmas hamper up to be raffled off at Church...and i am pretty much skint so i put in the 2nd items from BOGOF's etc. Looks really nice with cellophane wrapping and a bow but only costs a little.

We usually stay over at my parents at Christmas and the past couple of years i have purchased the meat and poultry because i think sharing the cost of the food over Christmas is only fair and so i buy the turkey crown, gammon and roast beef...in order to do this i collect supermarket savings stamps...just 1 a week for £1 will buy the Christmas meat and poultry. Spreading the cost of Christmas means that i can give more to my family and also ensures that we eat well and really enjoy the festivities.

Dazi

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Bloody Health and safety has gone mad! This how we did it in the 70's with no ill effects:mad:

Agree, toilet roll tubes were the mainstay of our 'junk glueing' projects at the playschool i worked at......am pleased to report that no child ever died through using them

Sorry if that was OT but

My OS tip for xmas is think how much you want to spend, halve it and try to make the present personal for the person receiving it, anyone can buy a great big box of expensive smellies, but if the person who receives it only uses a certain brand its not worth buying. My mum always says, I don't want a present but if you really want to get me something, get me Dove bath stuff. Thats what she wants, thats what I buy her, I now don't think oh that didn't cost enough, I think I am glad I got her something she wants

There are some great ideas on the occasions board. This year I am doing the pots of gold for a few people.

Last year one of my pressies from my SD was a book where she had written headings on each page, ie your first memory of school, your first dance, your first kiss etc Its taken me nearly all year to complete it, given me loads of laughs and one of the best pressies I have ever had.

Foodwise, lets face it, its just a big roast dinner, so cut down on the meat, there's enough trimmings ie the sausages wrapped in bacon, stuffing balls etc most people are stuffed after eating all that so no need to prepare a big xmas tea, I just put out cold left overs and pickles if anyone wants anything.

Oh and a big thing to remember......DON'T BUY THE ORANGE AND LEMON SLICES someone will always win a box in the xmas raffle lol

Westywoodpecker

greenbee wrote: »

I only send cards to people I don't see that often - I don't see the point of sending a card to someone I see very day and can SAY Happy Christmas to!

I agree so strongly greenbee! For the last couple of years at work I have suggested that we do a shoe box for children in Romania, instead of sending each other cards. It has really taken off & seems such a worth while cause too. I've already had people asking when boxes have to be in for which I think is ace

pink_numbers

I run off to another country each Christmas

SammyD_2

Our family adopt a maximum spend per person. One year when my Mum was really broke she gave us all library books. It was actually really good - she spend ages choosing each book, but if we hated them she had wasted no money!

We also don't buy crackers, and have a vegetarian Xmas dinner - but I cant imagine any meat eaters being prepared to go that far.

mandi

_Layla_ wrote: »

I'm making my own Christmas crackers this year, similar to ones I made in school many, many moons ago! They don't 'bang' but they look great. .

Toilet roll tubes
Crepe paper
Ribbons/Glitter/Glue/Cotton wool for snow etc
A little sweetie treat inside each one.

Put a treat inside the toilet roll tube, roll the tube up in crepe paper (allowing enough on either side to twist) tie twists with ribbon, and decorate as you wish.

Simples (And much better than paying stupid money for them!)

I think I would rather pay ................. Rummages for 4 wire coat hangers & some tinslel

Justamum

mandi wrote: »

I think I would rather pay ................. Rummages for 4 wire coat hangers & some tinslel

Oh those years of watching Blue Peter! I never did get round to making my own though :rolleyes: Do they still do it, and are they still allowed to use real candles (H&S might not approve!)